A Florida woman who shot dead her ex-boyfriend after he clung on top of her car for 10 miles will not face any charges.

Nikki McNeil, 33, had just dropped the couple's three young children off at their home in Ocala on Saturday evening and was trying to leave when she got into an argument with Lamark Tucker.

Her 36-year-old former partner wanted to talk about their failed relationship and took away her car keys and phone, the Marion County Sheriff's Office said.

Ms McNeil grabbed a spare set of keys and attempted to drive off, but as she pulled away, Mr Tucker jumped onto the front of the car.

Lamark Tucker

He held on for nearly 10 miles, allegedly threatening his ex-girlfriend throughout.

She stopped twice to ask others for help.

Eventually, fearing he was reaching for a gun, Ms McNeil pulled out her own weapon and shot him once through the windscreen, she told police.

Investigators said she appeared to act in self-defence, and they will not be recommending charges.

"We're satisfied, at that moment, that her story played into a situation where it was not necessarily foul play, and she didn't necessarily have to be placed under arrest," Officer Judge Cochran told local TV station WOGX.

The couple had recently separated and just two days earlier Ms McNeil had filed, and then withdrew, a request for a domestic violence restraining order against Mr Tucker.